Health Topics A-Z

What Are the Symptoms?

Scarlet fever most often occurs in children. Its symptoms may include:

• Bright red or scarlet spotty rash, usually beginning on the neck or chest (usually excludes face, palms and soles)
• High fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Sore throat (although half of patients will not have this symptom).
• Painful swallowing.
• Tongue coated with red spots — referred to as strawberry tongue.
• Swollen glands in neck.
• Vomiting

Call Your Doctor If:

Call your doctor if your child develops symptoms of scarlet fever, especially if the child has recently had strep throat. Left untreated, scarlet fever may have serious complications affecting the heart, kidneys, and other organs.